A/N Another one shot for the Picture is Worth 1,000 Words Challenge on tumblr. Thanks as always to my partner Terrijane. This one is well over 1,000. Sorry. Remember, I don't own anything.

I spend a little more time setting the background on this one than I usually do. Hopefully it's not too boring. Either way, leave me a review and let me know.

John stood by the stairs to the second floor of his best mate's manor house. It struck him again how surreal it was that this is where he worked and where his best friend lived. The house was enormous and any one of the many pieces of art throughout the place was probably worth more than the whole of the tiny cottage he owned on the estate. It was unlikely that John would even be in a place such as Downton Abbey except for the peculiarities of war and the life of service men. He and Rob had hit it off immediately in Afghanistan and as they worked so closely together the trust between them grew until now, years later, they were as close as brothers. In fact, he was Rob's personal assistant and his youngest daughter Sybil's godfather.

Sybil was the reason John and all the other guests were here tonight. She and Tom Branson had just returned from their Irish honeymoon prompting Rob and Cora to throw a huge welcome home party in the young couple's honor. Although he didn't really care for small talk and he no longer drank, John had to admit he was having a nice time. The place was packed and now that the disco had started no one was paying him much attention, which didn't bother him at all. He was quite content sipping his soda and watching the young people dance.

He got on well with all the Crawley girls. Mary and Matthew were in fine form tonight, really capitalizing on a rare night out with a babysitter. Sybil always made a point of spending time with John and he had to admit to a strong soft spot in his heart for her. Plus, he had always liked Tom, even when he was just an employee the same as John. Even Edith seemed happy tonight, spending more time with her new beau than antagonizing or being antagonized by Mary. John really liked Bertie and felt sure that he would be a peacekeeping influence on the two older siblings.

Yes, John was content to stand and observe all the happiness around him. He let it wash over him like a warm, cleansing rain not bothered in the least that some would say he wasn't participating. The anonymity he was afforded suited him rather well. Besides, being left alone had given him the opportunity to steal surreptitious glances at her all night without anyone being any the wiser.

Her, of course, was Anna Smith, Lady Mary's assistant and confidant. She and John had worked fairly closely together over the past several years and were good friends. In fact, she had been John's earliest and truest friend when he arrived at Downton, getting the PA job that everyone assumed would belong to Thomas. Only Anna had welcomed him and given him the benefit of the doubt. He would be eternally grateful to her for that as well as all her staunch loyalty since then. If it weren't for Anna, he probably would have had to leave Downton long ago due to the harassment and unfounded rumors Thomas and O'Brien had laid at his feet for the first few years of his employment.

As the years went on, he and Anna had spent more and more time together due to work commitments and simply because they enjoyed each other's company. They spent their time at lunch, and sometimes breakfast and tea, doing crosswords or discussing literature and movies, sometimes even religion. They liked to share funny stories about their employers and when they found it necessary to vent a bit they knew that they could trust one another completely. John hated to admit it, even to himself, but somewhere along the line he had developed feelings for Anna that went beyond friendship.

He knew he didn't have the right. He was much too old for her and far too brooding for someone so filled with light. Anna deserved someone as young and alive as she was. Someone who could give her every good thing life had to offer. Certainly not someone with a dodgy knee, a history of alcoholism, and a shrew of an ex-wife. No, Anna didn't deserve to be saddled with his problems. And still, he couldn't blame himself. She was intelligent, funny, curious and kind to everyone. Not to mention the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

She looked especially gorgeous tonight. He loved the way Anna dressed for work, usually in a pair of semi-form fitting slacks, though he tried not to notice, and a smart top. Fashionable but not fussy. And at work she almost always wore her hair up in a ponytail or braid. But tonight it was hanging down around her bare shoulders, just the way John had imagined it in his dreams a thousand times. And tonight she was wearing a smashing red dress and the highest of high heels.

He knew he wouldn't allow himself to act on his feelings, but that didn't stop him from admiring her from a distance all evening. He had nearly been caught out earlier when he lost track of the conversation going on around him as he watched her on the dance floor. She loved to dance and she always looked so relaxed and happy doing it. Dancing was just another example of all the things he couldn't give her. He felt slightly ashamed of himself when the feelings of jealousy started to rise as Anna shared dance after dance with Joseph Molesley. Even though he didn't feel he was the right man for Anna, he didn't want anyone else to be the right man either.

John was broken from his revelry by a voice at his side.

"John?"

"Hello Mrs. Hughes, having a good time?" he asked the director of public affairs with a warm smile.

"Yes, I suppose, although I don't much care for this music myself."

John chuckled, "Is it even supposed to be music? I think you and I are too old for this type. Ah well, it looks like Sybil and Tom are having a good time and that's the most important thing."

"You're right of course," she agreed, patting his arm, " I'm about to head home myself. I don't do late nights anymore. But I wondered if you might do something for me?"

"Of course Mrs. Hughes, how may I help?"

"Well, I'm not sure I should even bother you with it…"

"Come now, you've already started, might as well jump in," he smiled reassuringly.

She looked distracted for a moment but then seemed to make up her mind, "The thing is Mr. Bates, I've just been in the courtyard and Anna was out there. She seems upset."

Before she could continue, John's face had already clouded with concern, "What's wrong with Anna?"

"I'm not sure. I asked if I could help but she sent me away. She definitely didn't seem herself though. I thought perhaps you would have more luck. Seeing as how the two of you are so close and all."

John searched the older woman's face for some trace of double meaning but could find none. She was, after all, a much finer person than either Thomas or O'Brien. Still John deferred.

"I'm sure I'm no closer to her than you are. Anna sees you as a surrogate mother."

"That's why I'm so worried just now. At any rate, I've had no luck with her and I'm calling it a night. You do what you see fit Mr. Bates. I'll see you Monday."

Having said her piece, Mrs. Hughes headed for the cloak room and the door. John knew exactly what he was going to do even though he had led Mrs. Hughes to think otherwise. Anna was upset, and if there was the slightest chance he could make her feel better, that's exactly what he was going to do. He placed his drink down on a nearby table and made his way to the courtyard as quickly as possible.

When he arrived he opened the door and shut it quietly behind him. Peering around, he called out, "Anna? Anna are you out here?"

He paused to listen and before long he heard a rustling over in the darkest corner amidst some of the now empty party supply crates.

"Anna? It's John, are you alright?"

"I'm completely fine," he heard her muffled voice, "just go back to the party."

John could tell from her tone of voice that she was not 'completely fine'. He didn't hesitate a moment, but made his way nearer.

"Anna?" he rounded the corner and saw her sitting on a stack of crates. "Can I help?" he asked.

"I don't need help, go back to the party."

"But Mrs. Hughes said…"

"Mrs. Hughes shouldn't have said anything," she snapped at him.

John approached her carefully, "I can tell from your tone of voice you're not fine."

He was in front of her now. He lifted her head with a finger under her chin and a small smile on his face. When she looked up he could see her grimace and her makeup was a bit smeared.

"Anna, have you been crying?" he asked, full of concern.

"No," she answered defiantly.

"Hey, this is me you're talking to. I know you Anna May Smith. You can't keep things from me."

"Can't I? You have no idea the things I keep from you."

He looked puzzled, "What does that mean?"

"Nothing. It means nothing. Just go back inside, please John. I want to be alone."

"Well tough," John placed his hands in his pockets and took one step closer. He closed the distance between them and nudged her with his hip saying, "Shove over."

Reluctantly, Anna made room for him and John sat down next to her. As his arm made contact with her, Anna shivered, not sure if it was because of her proximity to John or because it was rather chilly outside.

John rose again immediately and removed his jacket, draping it over Anna's shoulders. "Here, you must be freezing." Returning to his seat he said, "There, now isn't that better?'

Anna sniffed, "I suppose."

John reached over and took his pocket square out of his jacket. Shaking it out, he handed it to her.

She took it but said, "I'll ruin it."

"I'll buy another one," he whispered, "now tell me what's wrong."

"I can't," she shook her head.

"Why not?"

"It's stupid, that's why."

"Hey, I married Vera, you can't get more stupid than that."

He scooted further back on the crates and put his arm around her, pulling her under his chin.

"And you saved Thomas from getting fired," she mumbled, "that was pretty stupid too."

"Don't remind me," he chuckled, happy he was making some progress. "So why are you crying? No one hurt you did they? Tell me who and I'll rip his head off."

"No, no," Anna exclaimed, forgetting to be miserable for just a moment, "it's nothing like that. It's just…"

John felt relieved, "Just what? Anna, let me help."

His tone was so tender that Anna's heart did a flip and she couldn't help but confide in him.

"It's my shoes."

John didn't know what he had expected her to say, but it certainly wasn't that. He cocked his eyebrow, "Your shoes?"

"Yes."

"Anna, you're the strongest woman I know. How can you possibly be crying about your shoes?"

"Alright, not my shoes exactly," she shook her head in frustration, both with him and the situation she found herself in, "It's the blisters they've caused all over my stupid feet."

"Why did you wear shoes that you knew would give you blisters?"

"I didn't know they would give me blisters, did I? They're brand new."

John couldn't help the chuckle that escaped as he replied, "You didn't know that going dancing in brand new shoes would give you blisters?"

Anna looked at him fiercely, "Don't you dare laugh, John Bates. It's all your fault anyway."

"My fault? How is it my fault that your new shoes gave you blisters?"

Anna's frustration reached the boiling point and she was mortified to find tears springing to her eyes. She wiped them away viciously and said, "Oh never mind. I told you I wanted to be alone. Just go back to the party."

John was shocked. He had rarely seen Anna get upset and certainly not over something this trivial. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he could tell that as of yet, he hadn't helped the situation.

"God Anna, I'm sorry," he said sincerely, "what have I done? Tell me what's the matter, please?"

John took Anna's hand away from her face and placed it back in her lap. He tenderly wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks with the pad of his thumb.

"What have I done?" he whispered.

"Nothing," Anna repeated, "you've done nothing." And that was all she intended to say, but she was so miserable that the words came tumbling out of her without intention or desire.

"That's the problem you see. You never do anything. Well nothing except stand there with your shirt and tie and jacket looking gorgeous. And smiling when you see me with those eyes that are some color I've never seen before and couldn't begin to describe. And then you have those stupid eye crinkles and that ridiculous piece of hair that won't stay in place. You don't do anything except be kind to everyone and support everyone and be smart and funny and wise. And the way you listen, really listen to everyone as if they all have a right to be heard from the Earl all the way down to the janitors." She stopped then, breathing heavily.

John was completely taken aback by Anna's outpouring. He could think of nothing intelligent to say so instead he replied, "What does this have to do with your shoes?"

"Ugg, don't you get it you big lump? I bought these shoes for you. And this dress. And I spent about an hour doing my hair and makeup. All to impress you. And now I'm out here cold, and in pain and embarrassed, with my makeup all over my face and it didn't even work. You didn't even notice me tonight."

John humphed and the corner of his mouth rose slightly.

"I swear to god, John Bates, if you dare to laugh at me again…"

"Anna, Anna," John took both her hands and held them to his chest, "I'm not laughing. I'm not. But god, how can you say I don't notice you? I notice everything about you every minute of every day. I notice the way you wrap your arms around your hips when you're really frustrated at work. I notice the way you bite your bottom lip when you're trying not to laugh at something Mr. Carson says that he didn't intend to be funny. I notice the kindness that washes over your face when you're soothing the sting out of something Mrs. Patmore has said to Daisy."

He hesitated, looking up at the sky before continuing, "I notice everything."

Somewhere, he found the courage to look her in the eye, "You think I didn't notice you tonight? How fantastic your hair looks when it's down around your shoulders. You think I can see that and not want to run my fingers through it? Or how utterly transcendent you look when you're dancing? You think I don't want to take Joseph Moseley outside and tell him to stay away from you, that he's not good enough for you? You think I haven't heard every single time you've laughed with Mary or Sybil or Cora tonight? You think when I do hear it it doesn't go right to the core of me like a bolt of lightning? I notice you, Anna. Good god how I notice you."

"You never said."

Again he chuckled, "Didn't I? Well then I'm bloody brilliant at hiding my emotions."

Anna pulled John's jacket tighter around her shoulders, "But why not?"

"Why not? How could I tell you how I feel when there's no way I'm anywhere near good enough for you. I'm not in your league Anna. I'm much too old, too beaten up and used up for someone like you. Jesus, I can't even dance with you. You deserve a better man."

He was looking at her earnestly and the depth of emotion in his eyes was just what Anna had been trying to explain earlier.

"Well, that's unfortunate," she looked at the ground and then back into his eyes, "because I love you, Mr. Bates. It may not be ladylike to say so, but I'm not a lady, and I don't pretend to be."

"You love me?" he asked in shock.

"I do," she replied firmly.

His eyes grew a bit sad and he turned his face away, "You shouldn't."

It was Anna's turn to chuckle. She placed her hand on his cheek and turned him back to face her, "As you so eloquently stated earlier this evening, well tough." She refused to look away.

"Anna, I don't know what to say…"

"What you should say is 'I love you too, Anna' and then kiss me." Her tone took on a mischievous note as she continued, "It's about the only way I can see this night having any redeeming value at all. And you've always said you'd do anything for me if I just I asked."

He smiled just a bit, "I do say that don't I?"

"Yes."

He reached for the back of her neck and pulled her a little closer, "And I pride myself on being a man of my word."

"You're the most honorable man I've ever met," she whispered, their lips almost touching.

"Well then, needs must," he smiled a bit more.

"Mmmm, needs must."

He bent his head toward hers and pulled her the rest of the way. At first, he merely trapped her bottom lip between both of his but it wasn't long before he let his tongue caress her there. When she sighed and put her arms around his neck he pulled her into his lap and deepened their contact just slightly.

"Is this alright? I'm not hurting your knee?" she asked.

He shook his head slightly, "Never felt better," he said before kissing her again.

Finally, he broke their kiss and rested his forehead against hers, "I love you, Anna. So, so much."

"Thank god," she whispered.

"And you," he replied.